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Milton Santos knocks on the door of the house, seconds before attacking his wife
Victim says “it was an isolated act”. The judge suspended the case on condition that the defendant undergo alcohol treatment and attend a program on domestic violence. Unfortunately, victim withdrawal is common.
The firefighter suspected of domestic violence in Machico, Madeira, in August and initially subject to the coercion measure of preventive detention, was forgiven by the victim and the process was suspended.
The woman indicated during the process that “it was an isolated act” and that “they are only not together as a couple due to the coercive measure of prohibition of contacts imposed”, advances this Sunday.
Also according to the morning newspaper, the victim sent a message to the Funchal Criminal Investigation Court, informing that he did not intend to continue criminal proceedings against the defendant and reinforcing that, before that case, the man had never been violent towards himself or their son.
The defendant also made a request asking for the process to be suspended, so the criminal investigation judge decided to suspend it, with the condition for the defendant to undergo alcohol treatment and attend a domestic violence program.
To ZAP, a source from a Red Cross emergency house designed to provide the first reception for women in situations of domestic violence, says that the retreat of victims it’s too commonfor several reasons: “If I had to guess, it happens in most cases”, whether due to pressure from the aggressor, lack of solutions (often economic) or other reasons. Women “who are in immediate need of protection and security” can be sent “immediately” to these homes if they file a complaint, according to the Red Cross.
Accusation includes violence against 9-year-old son
In October, the Public Ministry (MP) brought charges against the firefighter arrested in August in the municipality of Machico, on suspicion of two crimes of aggravated domestic violence, committed against the woman and her 9-year-old son.
According to the prosecution, in the early hours of August 24, 2025, the defendant went to a house in Água de Pena, a parish in the municipality of Machico, on the east side of the island, where the victims were living, and “violently attacked the woman in the presence of her sonwho not only repeatedly asked his father to stop his behavior but also put himself between him and his mother to protect her.”
According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the District of Madeira, “the defendant and the first victim had been married since 2010, but had not shared the same house since the beginning of August 2025, and in the month before the separation, arguments had taken place between the couple, one of which ended with the defendant attacking his wife, hitting her in the face with a cell phone”.
The 35-year-old defendant had been subject to the coercive measure of the obligation to remain in the home with electronic surveillance since October 15th, but previously, since August 28th, he had been in preventive detention, after being present for the first judicial interrogation. The transition to staying in housing with electronic surveillance was registered as part of the periodic review of coercive measures.
The images of the attacks, which took place in the presence of the victim’s son and the attacker, were captured by video surveillance cameras in the victim’s home and widely disseminated on social media.
However, the man’s defense filed a request for habeas corpus and appealed the coercive measure applied, considering that the legal requirements for preventive detention were not met, which was refused by the Supreme Court of Justice on September 10.
The suspect, born and residing in Machico, was arrested by the PSP on August 26th following the “issuance of an arrest warrant outside of flagrante delicto by the Department of Investigation and Criminal Action – Public Ministry of the District of Madeira”.
According to the PSP, the man was identified after the police were contacted by the 34-year-old victim of domestic violence, via 112, and referred the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The free information service operates by telephone, 24 hours a day, to support victims of domestic violence via the number 800 202 148. It is an anonymous and confidential service. Other useful contacts are also recommended:
APAV (Portuguese Victim Support Association) line: 116 006
National Emergency Line: 144
Emergency Line (if you feel your life is at risk): 112
Child Support Line: 116 111
